Magees On The Mark For Dungannon
Three tries shared out by the unrelated Neville and Paul Magee saw Dungannon climb away from the relegation zone and up to 12th in the table, as they accounted for Terenure College at Lakelands Park on Saturday.
AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, March 28
TERENURE COLLEGE 8 DUNGANNON 22, Lakelands Park
Scorers: Terenure College: Try: Shane Cullen; Pen: David McAllister
Dungannon: Tries: Neville Magee, Paul Magee 2; Cons: John McGuckin 2; Pen: Richard McCarter
Terenure, already facing the drop, put in a brave effort in the first half but they were 10-3 behind at half-time.
Dungannon, eager to put together back-to-back league wins, nudged into the lead on 15 minutes when second row Neville Magee scored a try converted by John McGuckin.
In windy conditions, good work from scrum half Mel Ferry, which included a break from near his own try-line and a clever kick to the corner, laid the foundations for the opening try.
After a number of phases for the Dungannon forwards, Magee spotted a gap and got over from close range.
David McAllister, the former Leinster out-half, kicked a penalty in reply for ‘Nure, but Dungannon’s Richard McCarter eclipsed him.
25 minutes in, McCarter landed a terrific penalty kick from the halfway line to re-establish the Tyrone men’s seven-point lead.
The ‘Nure defence was badly stretched, a quarter-of-an-hour into the second half, and Paul Magee crossed in the corner. McGuckin’s conversion attempt bounced back off the post, leaving it 15-3.
The home side conjured up a try, scored by Shane Cullen, to close the gap back to seven points.
Nonetheless, Dungannon proved they were the stronger outfit when crossing for their third try in injury-time.
Second row Michael Rainey made an impressive burst forward and after a quick recycle and movement between the backs, Magee scored to the left of the posts. McGuckin’s successful conversion was the final scoring act.